By: Meara Donovan, BTS Cooperant (2026) If you’re reading this, it’s likely that miércoles de chilate doesn’t ring a bell. Since my first day in Rabinal a whole 9 months ago, I’ve heard about the famously celebrated occasion. But what is it? Where does it come from? And why is [...]
By: Meara Donovan, BTS cooperant (2026) “Mira, ¡un perro de Río Negro!” (Look, a Río Negro dog!) “¡Y un palo de Río Negro!” (And a stick from Río Negro!) The students are joking around as our packed van pulls through the gates, inching towards the Chixoy hydroelectric dam and the [...]
By: Meara Donovan, BTS cooperant (2026) At 5:30 a.m., students and teachers began to show up at the New Hope Foundation's (FNE) office in Rabinal. Motorcycle after motorcycle of shockingly un-sleepy teenagers roared up to the huddles of students, teachers, and guests invited to the February 13th ceremony commemorating the [...]
By: Meara Donovan, BTS cooperant (2026) At the New Hope Foundation (FNE), spirituality is ever present. It is not separate, but rather interwoven with every aspect of learning at the Centro Educativo Comunitario Bilingue Intercultural (CECBI). ⁂ This morning, alarm clocks went off at 4:30 a.m. for teachers at the [...]
The Q'eqchi' families living along the coastal stretch of Izabal in Eastern Guatemala have been here for over a century. Census records from 1913 document their presence, though their roots go back even further. This land is not just a political issue or a legal battle. It's home. It's where [...]
Leocadio Juracán released on bail but the struggle for justice continues Leocadio with his lawyers on August 18th following the trial in Izabal. Photo credit: CCDA Last Wednesday, August 13th, 2025, Leocadio Juracán, campesino activist and agrarian reform coordinator for the Campesino Committee of the Highlands (CCDA), was [...]
Cooperant update: A Meditation on Justice and Memory in Rabinal By: Marina Luro, Rabinal Community Legal Clinic Cooperant Since arriving at the Rabinal Community Legal Clinic (ABJP), I have frequently reflected on what justice means. In Canadian law schools, and I imagine law schools in most of the Global North, [...]
BTS Intern, Cristi at her "despedida lunch" with the team at the Rabinal Community Legal Clinic (ABJP). Intern update: Finding Justice, Learning Peace. As I transition back to life in Canada after finishing my placement at the Rabinal Community Legal Clinic (ABJP), memories of people, places, and events [...]
BTS Intern, Georgia working at the IMAP offices in San Lucas Tolíman. Intern update: Reflections on my time at IMAP ~ reverse culture shock and how you can get to know a person through translating their words (not in that order) When I began what affectionately became known [...]
An offering to the respected fire and to the ancestors: Honouring the lives of those who came before us By Javier Every March 13th, in the area called Pak’oxom in the community of Río Negro, community members, students, activists, spiritual leaders known as Ajq’ijab’, and elders gather to commemorate the [...]
